Methane is a clean-burning energy source that is already utilized across the world in its gaseous form as "natural gas." Traditionally, methane is extracted from methane deposits trapped hundreds of meters below the surface of the earth. However, methane is present in many waste gas sources, including coal mine methane (CMM) and coal-bed methane (CBM). These waste gas sources of methane are often comprised of a number of other contaminants that must be removed before the methane can be used. By implementing advanced technology, CMM/CBM can be purified and liquefied economically on a small scale. The resulting liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a clean-burning alternative fuel that can be utilized in a number of industries, including transportation.

LNG is a superior fuel due to its higher energy content, which makes it easier to transport and store than natural gas. LNG can be transported economically in tankers over long distances to end users; however, small distributed-scale production can be used to place LNG plants in close proximity to end users, thereby eliminating the need to transport this fuel over long distances.

This project seeks to introduce distributed-scale purification and liquefaction technology in Poland as a viable option for efficiently converting fugitive methane gas into LNG.

Today there is an ever-pressing need for clean renewable and alternative sources of energy. Poland, like much of Europe, is becoming increasingly dependent on imported hydrocarbons as domestic fossil fuel resources decrease. Furthermore, the European Union's legislative plans to limit emissions place additional challenges on Poland's energy sector. In light of these factors, diversification of natural gas and oil supplies becomes an even more important goal. By utilizing waste sources of methane, the Zory Project is not only tapping into unused resources but is also helping Poland diversify its energy supply by providing a clean-burning fuel that can displace dirtier carbon-based alternatives.